Abstract
Background
Breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices have profound implications for the
maternal and child health status of a society. Feeding practices in Pakistan are
suboptimal, leading to adverse outcomes on child health. In Pakistan, the Maternal,
Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) Program, in collaboration with several international
organizations, including WHO and UNICEF, is working to improve these feeding
practices in the country. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of these
programs.
Methods
Estimates on the various indicators for infant and young child feeding proposed by WHO
were analyzed in light of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys (1990-91 and
2006-07) and several other national studies conducted since 1995.
Results
Nearly half the core and optional indicators have improved over the years, though
modestly; the others have demonstrated no statistically significant improvement over the
years. Of the five indicators required in the WHO tool for the assessment of infant and
young child feeding, introduction of complementary foods, bottle-feeding, and early
initiation of breastfeeding, stand in the poor category, while exclusive breastfeeding and
duration of breastfeeding fall in the fair category, suggesting an overall poor status.
Conclusions
There is considerable scope to improve breastfeeding and complementary feeding in
Pakistan. Further programs should focus on improving the following indicators that have
shown no significant development: early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive
breastfeeding under six months, continued breastfeeding at two years, age appropriate
feeding, and bottle feeding. Effective implementation of interventions that are known to
improve breastfeeding practices is imperative, as is further research to yield data that can
lead future endeavors.

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